Word Origin & History

sequence late 14c., "hymn sung after the Hallelujah and before the Gospel," from O.Fr. sequence "answering verses" (13c.), from M.L. sequentia "a following, a succession," from L. sequentem (nom. sequens), prp. of sequi "to follow" (see sequel). In Church use, a partial loan-translation of Gk. akolouthia, from akolouthos "following." General sense of "succession," also "a sequence at cards," appeared 1570s.

Example Sentences for sequence

At some time in this sequence of events, I heard other explosions.

They often interfere in the second stage of the sequence,—act, thought, act.

Filling a sequence in the middle or on the only open end to complete hand.

The sequence in the three clauses of our text is perfectly clear.

The sequence has been too rapid to show much development; both his merits and his faults are what they were.

What tasks he chooses in their sequence, working at them steadily.

For this did Nature shape me; with what purpose, I shall never know; but, in the sequence of things eternal, this was my place.

Before I knew that I was beloved it seemed a sequence very remote.

These observations lead us to conclude that a sequence can be traced in the history of poetry, as in that of art.

If Eustace were captured there was little doubt what the sequence would be.